CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION TO PROCESS EQUIPMENT
1. Name the primary difference between a pump and a compressor.
a. Compressors use steam turbines vs. electric motors
b. Pumps transfer fluids, compressors transfer gases.
c. Pumps are smaller than compressors.
d. Compressors transfer gases, pumps transfer liquids.
2. Explain the purpose of bearings and seals.
a. Control radial and axial movement.
b. Support the rotating shaft
c. Prevent internal and external leakage.
d. All of the above.
3. What is the definition of a distillation column?
a. a cylindrical tower that uses trays or packing to provide a contact point between
vapors and liquid to separate the components in a mixture by boiling point.
b. a mechanical device designed to accelerate or compress gases.
c. a cylindrical tower filled with a porous medium to separate components in a
mixture.
d. an energy transfer device designed to transfer heat energy between the
components in a mixture.
4. What is the purpose of a steam turbine?
a. Produce high pressure steam.
b. Produce low pressure steam.
c. Provide rotational energy to a pump, compressor, or generator.
d. Convert high pressure steam into condensate.
5. Identify common hand tools used by process technicians.
a. Pumps, compressors, steam turbines
b. Channel locks, wrenches, hammer
c. Radio, gloves, work boots
d. Screw driver, valves, valve wrench
6. List four methods process technicians use to inspect equipment.
a. listen, touch, look, feel.
b. charts, video trends, records, alarms.
c. listen, touch, intuition, smell.
d. smell, log entry, sample results, frequent shutdowns.
7. The primary purpose of a valve is.
a. Direct the flow of fluid.
b. Block in and isolate equipment.
c. Stop the flow of fluid.
d. Start the flow of fluid.
e.
8. Explain how a centrifugal pump operates.
a. Positively displaces fluid with a reciprocating motion.
b. Spins liquid from the suction eye into a volute.
c. Positively displaces liquid with a rotary motion.
d. Dynamically spins liquid axially into discharge.
9. Examples of rotary equipment include all the following except:
a. pump
b. compressor
c. distillation column
d. fan
10. How is power transmission in rotary equipment classified?
a. speed-to-torque conversion or torque to speed conversion
b. Speed to RPM conversion
c. Torque and Shear limits
d. Gear and clutch control
11. The basic principles that allow an electric motor to operate include all of the following
except:
a. electric current creates a magnetic field.
b. magnetic poles attract and repel each other.
c. electric current closes the magnetic field.
d. current direction determines the magnetic poles.
12. Describe how chain and belt drives are used to operate rotating equipment.
a. belts and chains provide torque and speed to operating equipment.
b. belts and chains are used to connect two parallel shafts; the drive shaft and the
driven shaft.
c. belts and chains provide a bridge or a coupling between the motor and driven
device.
d. a & c
13. What is the purpose of a fired heater?
a. Heat large quantities of hydrocarbons for commercial use.
b. Steam generation for commercial use.
c. Provide heat during winter months for control rooms.
d. Burn excess hydrocarbons safely and efficiently.
14. Outside operators inspect all of the following except:.
a. equipment oil levels.
b. unusual smells or vibrations.
c. unit stationary and rotating equipment.
d. equipment from area outside your unit.
15. What is the primary difference between a rigid and a flexible coupling?
a. the amount of movement the coupling will tolerate.
b. the total rpm the coupling will tolerate.
c. the strength of the coupling.
d. the amount of money each coupling costs.
16. Explain the operation of a positive displacement pump.
a. accelerates a specific volume of liquid through centrifugal force.
b. uses a combination of displacement and centrifugal force to move liquid.
c. displaces a specific volume of liquid on every stroke or rotation of the transfer
element.
d. axial movement that displaces a specific volume of liquid.
17. What is the primary purpose of a mixing reactor?
a. blend chemicals into a homogenous mixture using a catalyst.
b. provide stirring action to create molecular friction.
c. to heat or cool a chemical mixture.
d. to mix two or more chemicals under specific conditions to make or break
chemical bonds.
18. What is the primary purpose of a boiler?
a. Heat large quantities of hydrocarbons for commercial use.
b. Steam generation for commercial use.
c. Provide heat during winter months for control rooms.
d. Burn excess hydrocarbons safely and efficiently.
19. What is the purpose of a cooling tower?
a. Cool hydrocarbons and excess vapors
b. Emergency quench cooling for reactors
c. Provide cooling during summer months for control rooms.
d. Cool water for industrial applications.
20. Water treatment requirements are linked to three factors;
a. OSHA permit system, state regulations, average rainfall
b. Time of year, available equipment, last OSHA inspection
c. Source water quality, how the water will be used, and environmental regulations.
d. PPM in air, PPM in water quality, EPA permit requirement.
Answer Key CHAPTER 1 Introduction to Process Equipment